NZ broadband getting cheaper

Consumers in New Zealand are getting better value for money for broadband and mobile services, according to the Commerce Commission’s latest telecommunications report.

“Around 74% of households now have a fixed-line broadband connection and there are 5.8 million mobile devices. Nearly all phones sold now are smartphones with internet connectivity,” said Telecommunications Commissioner Dr Stephen Gale.

“The cost of internet use has dropped over the last year with up to four times the data included at the same price points,” he added.

“100 GB in a fixed-line voice and broadband plan can now be bought for NZ$65, NZ$10 less than a year before.

“At the high end, a 100 Mbps fibre voice and broadband plan with unlimited data costs NZ$90 per month, 19% less than the equivalent in Australia.

The commissioner said that average broadband speeds have been increasing thanks to a significant boost in fibre uptake, with fibre connections growing from 197,000 to 368,000 in just one year.

“Those moving to fibre generally get all the speed they need, while congestion is also reducing on the copper network,” he said.

Other results in the report include:

• As of March 2017, New Zealand’s ultrafast broadband fibre network is passing 1.1 million homes and businesses, with 368,000 connected.
• The average monthly household broadband data consumption is growing at 46% per year.
• Mobile calling — now averaging 146 minutes per person per month — has overtaken fixed line calling.
• Industry investment dropped to NZ$1.59 billion from a record high of NZ$1.77 billion in 2015.
• Mobile revenue (NZ$2.68 billion in 2016) now surpasses that of fixed line (NZ$2.53 billion).

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